This legislation, titled the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2025, aims to significantly strengthen the existing Horse Protection Act by designating additional unlawful acts , increasing penalties for violations, and improving the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) enforcement capabilities. It addresses concerns that current regulations are inadequate in preventing the cruel practice of soring, particularly in specific horse breeds, by introducing new definitions for "action device" and "participate." The bill explicitly makes causing or directing soring an unlawful act and prohibits the use of action devices and certain weighted shoes, pads, or other gait-altering materials on Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at horse shows or sales, unless strictly protective or therapeutic. To enhance enforcement, the Act mandates that the USDA license, train, and assign qualified inspectors, preferably veterinarians, who are free from conflicts of interest. These licensed inspectors will issue citations for violations, and the USDA will publish information on violations publicly. Penalties for knowing violations are substantially increased to fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years , with civil penalties also rising. The legislation establishes mandatory disqualification periods for horses found to be sore, starting at 180 days for a first offense and increasing to three years for a third offense. Individuals found in violation face expanded disqualification from participating in or managing horse events, including permanent disqualification for repeat offenses, alongside new penalties for failing to obey disqualification orders or pay licensed inspectors.